At that time the morals of women were almost without exception
corrupt. They were faithless to their husbands with absolute licence,
since the crime of adultery brought neither danger nor harm upon them.
When convicted of the offence, they escaped punishment, thanks to the
Empress, to whom they immediately applied. Then, getting the verdict
quashed on the ground that the charges were not proved, they in turn
accused their husbands, who, although not convicted, were condemned to
refund twice the amount of the dower, and, for the most part, were
flogged and led away to prison, where they were permitted to look upon
their adulterous wives again, decked out in fine garments and in the
act of committing adultery without the slightest shame with their
lovers, many of whom, by way of recompense, received offices and
rewards. This was the reason why most husbands afterwards put up with
unholy outrages on the part of their wives, and gladly endured them
in silence in order to escape the lash. They even afforded them every
opportunity to avoid being surprised.

Theodora claimed complete control of the State at her sole discretion.
She appointed magistrates and ecclesiastical dignitaries. Her only
care and anxiety was--and as to this she made the most careful
investigation--to prevent any office being given to a good and
honourable man, who might be prevented by his conscience from
assisting her in her nefarious designs.

She ordered all marriages as it were by a kind of divine authority;
men never made a voluntary agreement before marriage. A wife was found
for each without any previous notice, not because she pleased him (as
is generally the case even amongst the barbarians) but because
Theodora so desired it. Brides also had to put up with the same
treatment, and were obliged to marry husbands whom they did not